Portability Considerations

As the purpose of the finished artefact is to operate effectively in live performance, the portability of the device is very important. It should not unreasonably restrict the performer's movement on stage. However, as this model of Kaoss Pad is too large to fit entirely inside the guitar, the guitar must be connected in some way to the rest of the unit to allow the touch pad to control it.

For this reason I have looked in to the following alternative options to improve the units portability when in use:

• Attaching the unit to the performers guitar strap
• Implementing a wireless connection between the touch pad and the rest of the effects unit.

However, while it would be possible to attach the unit to the performer, it is quite a large unit that would not be very appealing aesthetically to the user (or the audience!)

The wireless option, on the other hand, could be easily concealed and would also allow much more movement away from the unit. However, there are two negative points associated with this. Firtsly that the touch pad currently draws its power from the effects unit and I believe acts as a sort of variable resistor, so an alternative power supply would be required for the touch pad and there may be issues with the main body of the Kaoss Pad if this section that it is powering is removed. I have contacted Korg to ask for any technical diagrams or information that they could provide me with to help in calculating this, but am waiting for a response regarding this. Secondly the additional expense of a wireless transmitter and receiver makes this infeasible for this project. Both the transmitter and receiver would presumably also require some power source which further complicated the design.

I have decided to continue with my original plan to use a serial cable connection between the touch pad and the rest of the unit, though this may slightly limit the performers movement. If Korg are able to supply me with more detailed information - for example about current and voltages required by different parts of the unit - I will hopefully be able to decide on the longest usable cable for the connection.

Parts Collected So Far

Whilst working on the final design, I have been collecting the parts that I know will be required.

Guitar Build Kit

I believe that I have almost all of the parts required to begin to build the guitar. Once I have the final parts I will begin by doing all necessary routing and adjustments of the guitar body before finishing the wood and putting the guitar together. The hardware will then be fitted, along with the Kaoss Pad modification.

Korg KP-1 Kaoss Pad, DB9 Serial Connectors & Cable

For the time being, I plan to connect the Kaoss pad screen back to the body of the unit using serial connections which should not require any additional power to be supplied to the touch screen. However, this connection will be tested and alternatives will be researched before this is affixed to the guitar.

The use of a Les Paul style design allows enough space for the touch screen to be attached at the base of the guitar, beneath the bridge. From a few sketched ideas, this seems to be the most appropriate placement for the screen as it should be reasonably comfortable for the performer to use without looking out of place in the design.

Rough Outline of Planned Touch Screen Placement

The remaining barriers to be overcome before beginning the build are to find a button which will be used to operate the 'hold' function of the Kaoss Pad, to decide on a placement for this on the guitar body, and to decide on a way to firmly hold the touch pad in place.

2nd Meeting With Project Supervisor

After my second meeting with Duncan Werner, I intend to investigate ways of improving the portability of the design I am working on in order to ensure that it is well suited to live performance.

Two potential options that will be investigated are to mount the full effects unit about the guitarists person, or to make use of wireless technology between the guitar and the rest of the effects unit.